California

Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District awarded $5,000 State Farm GNC grant

The Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District was awarded a Good Neighbor Citizenship grant for $5,000 as part of State Farm’s continued “safe neighbors” support of communities in need of raising public awareness when it comes to wildfire safety.

The Mammoth Lakes Fire Safe Council is relatively new and is currently in the process of securing its 501(c) (3) status, developing educational programs and materials and seeking larger grants targeted at specific Mammoth-area needs. The State Farm grant will be used primarily for educational purposes.

Local Agent Linda Wright, on hand for the grant presentation, said, “State Farm values the importance of keeping our neighbors safe ... we make it our business to be a good neighbor across the United States.” Public Affairs Specialist Greg Sherlock helped facilitate the grant request.

Fire Safe Councils provide a variety of services to the communities they serve. Public awareness and education are a large portion of their mission and include understanding defensible space and the role it plays in protecting a home during a wildfire.

At the other end of the spectrum, many councils partner with other agencies and non-profits, such as the U.S. Forest Service and local fire departments, to perform fuel reduction in designated high-risk areas. State Farm supports fire departments and fire safe councils and their efforts to improve citizens’ awareness on how to protect their homes in the event of a wildfire.